South Side grant pushes tennis courts to toward completion

Seth Nolan

Reporter

snolan@sungazette.com

The little remaining work still left on the South Williamsport tennis courts will be finished using a recently awarded grant from the United States Tennis Association.

The association announced the awarding of $20,000 to the borough’s park and recreation department last week.

Work began on five, new, 78-foot tennis courts in early September.

The majority of the work is done, said Michael D. Miller, borough manager. But the money from the grant will help put the final touches on the $273,330 project.

The association’s facility assistance program is in place to support and provide communities access to safe, appealing and functional tennis equipment and courts.

“We are committed to enhancing and building more tennis facilities in communities across the country,” said Kurt Kamperman, chief executive of community tennis for the association. “This program allows us to assist in the development process of providing usable tennis venues to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to play and enjoy the health benefits of our great game.”

Since 2005, the tennis association has awarded $12 million through these grants to support tennis facility enhancements, renovations and new construction projects.

In total, the program has built more than 39,000 tennis courts across the country.

In addition to the funds, grant recipients receive technical assistance. The program provides industry leading experience in tennis court and facility construction from concept plans to professional construction document review.

By investing in the rehabilitation and development of tennis facilities in the U.S., the association believes these facilities not only will grow the sport but provide venues for communities to gather and provide lifelong healthy activity through tennis.

With 98 percent of the work on the courts completed, the borough expects to open them by the end of this week, Miller said.